Chapter 293
Chapter 293:
She stepped forward quickly and addressed the officers with an apologetic smile. “They’re my guests. It’s their first time here, and since they don’t know Ken well, it caused a misunderstanding. I’m truly sorry for the false alarm p>
Caught in the act like children sneaking sweets, Loretta and Miriam bobbed their heads in frantic agreement. “Yes, just a misunderstanding p>
The officers, unimpressed, gave them a curt warning before filing back out into the night.
Ken’s face burned with embarrassment as he stumbled through an apology to Loretta and Miriam.
Loretta quickly seized the upper hand. “I just didn’t eat enough at dinner,” she said smoothly. “I woke up hungry. I didn’t want to disturb anyone, so I thought I’d make myself a little something. Why did you involve the police p>
All Ken could do was bow his head and keep apologizing.
Gabriela, watching the exchange, felt both exasperated and faintly amused. Loretta’s talent for twisting situations in her favor seemed to grow sharper by the day.
She offered Ken a reassuring look and urged him back to bed. Then she flashed Loretta and Miriam a gentle smile. “What would you two like to eat? I’ll whip something up p>
Loretta hesitated, then said, “It’s already so late. A sandwich will be fine p>
Instead of summoning a maid, Gabriela slipped into the kitchen herself. Before long, she returned balancing two oversized plates, each holding a towering sandwich stuffed to the brim.
Rо𝗆𝗮𝗇𝗰е 𝖺𝗻𝗱 𝘱𝗮𝗌sіo𝘯 𝗈𝗻 ѕ.𝖼𝘰𝘮
“Take your time and enjoy,” she said warmly.
Loretta and Miriam stared at the massive portions, momentarily speechless. The sandwiches were so big they hardly knew where to begin, let alone how to finish.
Since they had made such a show of being hungry moments earlier, refusing them felt impossible. The two of them sat down to eat.
When Loretta and Miriam managed to get through only half of the towering sandwiches, Gabriela finally broke the silence. “What exactly were you searching for when you slipped out of your rooms in the middle of the night p>
Loretta kept throwing Miriam quick, pointed winks, urging her to invent something on the spot. Usually quick with a comeback, Miriam froze this time. She fumbled for words and finally muttered, “We were just hungry. The thing is, at our age, we can’t put away food like we used to. A few bites and we’re full p>
Realizing they had no intention of confessing, Gabriela lifted a brow, studied them for a long moment, then chose not to press further. She stacked the plates neatly and said, “It’s already late—you should get some rest. If you feel hungry again, just call me p>
Mortified, Loretta and Miriam slipped away to their rooms.
By then, it was nearly four in the morning. Gabriela returned to bed, drifting back into sleep until daylight crept in. Luckily, it was the weekend. She stayed curled beneath the covers until after ten, then finally rose and made her way downstairs—only to find Wesley waiting in the living room.
He wore a casual pullover beneath a light gray coat, the simple outfit emphasizing his tall frame and striking good looks.
Gabriela’s heart gave a little jolt. “Mr. Moss… what are you doing here p>
Wesley curved his lips in a mild smile, his tone calm yet steady. “I heard about the incident last night. I’m sorry for the disturbance. I came to bring Grandma and Miriam back to the estate p>
Gabriela hurried to reassure him that it was nothing at all.
But Loretta’s expression hardened. “I’m not going back. That estate is cold and lifeless. Wesley is already a grown man and still doesn’t have a girlfriend. Spending time alone with him is painfully boring p>
Once her tirade wound down, she heaved another long sigh, lamenting how his home had lost the warmth of laughter and bustle.
Wesley’s expression hardened, the sharp lines of his handsome face shadowed with displeasure. That night, he settled in at Gabriela’s house, unwilling to head back. His excuse was unwavering. “That estate of mine feels hollow, stripped of any warmth p>
Gabriela stared at him in bafflement. What did that have to do with her? Despite her reluctance, all three of them dug in their heels, refusing to return to Wesley’s vast estate and insisting on staying under her roof instead. Because of that, the house that once felt open and spacious suddenly seemed crowded and close.